With "Selma" Release, Greek Orthodox Archbishop Looks Back at Predecessor Archbishop Iakovos' March with Dr. King

(Fort Lauderdale, FL) - Orthodox Christian Network is featuring an interview with His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, looking back at the important role played by his predecessor, Archbishop Iakovos, who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma, AL. With the release of the new film "Selma," in which Archbishop Iakovos is seen marching with King, Orthodox Christians revisit that historic event.

Particularly now, when Orthodox Christians are suffering persecution and death internationally, the question of civil rights is as current today as it was during the time featured in the film. In his interview with OCN's Executive Director, Fr. Christopher Metropulos, Archbishop Demetrios speaks of the need for Christians to defend divinely gifted freedoms.

His Eminence commends the movie's "objective" depiction of events, and especially notes how well it portrays the peaceful nature of King's activities and outlook. He shares stories and touches on the evolving experience of Greek immigrants to the United States and its impact on their changing perspectives on the American civil rights movement.

"Martyrdom, persecution is something inscribed in the blood of Orthodox people. It's in our DNA," says Archbishop Demetrios. "The death by persecution, the execution because of faith, and because of ideas, is something...that is bread and water for the Orthodox people."

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations is tasked with cultivating professional relationships with faith-based organizations, academic institutions, and NGOs. It coordinates the ecumenical and interfaith dialogues of the Archdiocese on a national level, and it is responsible for coordinating pan-Orthodox activites through the Office of the Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA.